Yes, it's rated PG-13, and yes it's the least-liked of the three, but I for one, thought it was on par with the other two films in the series.
Unlike many people, I don't need my action movies to be sadistic and bloody to enjoy them. I don't need people to be blown up, I don't need to see severed limbs and fountains of blood. I just don't need graphic violence. Sure it can be entertaining, in a morbid way, and sure it's an important ingredient in an action film. But action movies don't need that to still work and be fun. There are many great examples of PG-13 action films that excelled with little strong violence. Taken (2008), any of the post-The Living Daylights (1987) Bond films, the Bourne films, and Live Free or Die Hard (2007), to name a few. Granted, the old-school hardcore 80s and 90s violent action vibe was an attraction of this series, but it's still there. The set-pieces are just as big, the action is almost as brutal and just as entertaining, and the performances are still strong. A movie doesn't need to be a gritty hard R to be fun.
Everyone is back from the first film, well, most everyone, with mostly solid performances from the regulars, and some ok performances from the young newcomers. Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Statham, Crews, Couture, and Lundgren are all good as usual. Jet Li has more screen time than he did in the previous film, but he doesn't have very much time to show off his martial arts skills. Schwarzenegger has almost as much to do as the previous film, and he still kills bad guys and makes fun of himself well, even saying "get to da choppa" at one point. Part of the novelty of the series are the new cast members every movie, and this one doesn't disappoint. We have Wesley Snipes and Antonio Banderas, who steal most of the scenes they're in, and it was really cool to see Snipes in action again, and Banderas too. Harrison Ford replaces Bruce Willis as the team's CIA liaison, and is brings a certain level of class to the film. Mel Gibson, though, totally steals the show as the psychotic and memorable villain, and he may be the best of the series' antagonists. The young new members are ok, though they're not nearly as interesting as the older guys, and Rhonda Rousey is actually the most memorable of the new recruits.
Patrick Hughes, a no-name up-and-comer in the directorial department, actually proves his mettle, crafting some great action sequences. The opening train scene was entertaining, the Somali car chase/shootout was crazy, and the final battle is pretty much about 30 minutes of non-stop, crazy action, with lots of fighting, explosions, and gunfire, and a crazy motorcycle stunt. Seriously the final sequence is great. It's pretty much The Expendables vs. a small army, and there are even tanks here. The final fight is brutal and visceral, and very entertaining, though it probably could have gone on for longer. Hughes is definitely a keeper, going on to do The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017), another favorite of mine. He's the closest thing we have to the new Michael Bay.
If you can appreciate a fun PG-13 action flick, than this is for you. The scale of the acton is still there, and the movie does manage to maintain a little of the franchise's grit. Star charisma and creative vision completely drive this thing, and it's quite a spectacle.
Actors I'd like to see in the fourth film: Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Jackie Chan
Unlike many people, I don't need my action movies to be sadistic and bloody to enjoy them. I don't need people to be blown up, I don't need to see severed limbs and fountains of blood. I just don't need graphic violence. Sure it can be entertaining, in a morbid way, and sure it's an important ingredient in an action film. But action movies don't need that to still work and be fun. There are many great examples of PG-13 action films that excelled with little strong violence. Taken (2008), any of the post-The Living Daylights (1987) Bond films, the Bourne films, and Live Free or Die Hard (2007), to name a few. Granted, the old-school hardcore 80s and 90s violent action vibe was an attraction of this series, but it's still there. The set-pieces are just as big, the action is almost as brutal and just as entertaining, and the performances are still strong. A movie doesn't need to be a gritty hard R to be fun.
Everyone is back from the first film, well, most everyone, with mostly solid performances from the regulars, and some ok performances from the young newcomers. Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Statham, Crews, Couture, and Lundgren are all good as usual. Jet Li has more screen time than he did in the previous film, but he doesn't have very much time to show off his martial arts skills. Schwarzenegger has almost as much to do as the previous film, and he still kills bad guys and makes fun of himself well, even saying "get to da choppa" at one point. Part of the novelty of the series are the new cast members every movie, and this one doesn't disappoint. We have Wesley Snipes and Antonio Banderas, who steal most of the scenes they're in, and it was really cool to see Snipes in action again, and Banderas too. Harrison Ford replaces Bruce Willis as the team's CIA liaison, and is brings a certain level of class to the film. Mel Gibson, though, totally steals the show as the psychotic and memorable villain, and he may be the best of the series' antagonists. The young new members are ok, though they're not nearly as interesting as the older guys, and Rhonda Rousey is actually the most memorable of the new recruits.
Patrick Hughes, a no-name up-and-comer in the directorial department, actually proves his mettle, crafting some great action sequences. The opening train scene was entertaining, the Somali car chase/shootout was crazy, and the final battle is pretty much about 30 minutes of non-stop, crazy action, with lots of fighting, explosions, and gunfire, and a crazy motorcycle stunt. Seriously the final sequence is great. It's pretty much The Expendables vs. a small army, and there are even tanks here. The final fight is brutal and visceral, and very entertaining, though it probably could have gone on for longer. Hughes is definitely a keeper, going on to do The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017), another favorite of mine. He's the closest thing we have to the new Michael Bay.
If you can appreciate a fun PG-13 action flick, than this is for you. The scale of the acton is still there, and the movie does manage to maintain a little of the franchise's grit. Star charisma and creative vision completely drive this thing, and it's quite a spectacle.
Actors I'd like to see in the fourth film: Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Jackie Chan